Adebayo, added that mental health was integral to the stability of any nation.

“Most of the burning issues confronting us as a nation, such as insecurity, economic crisis, just to mention a few, have grave mental health concerns.

“The health impact is often unquantifiable; and we know there is no health without mental health.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have a workable and realistic policy direction, no mental health Act to guide us and protect the rights of our patients.

“It is critical to deliberate on vital issues that will promote the very change we desire and enlighten our policy makers that mental health is very crucial in our collective drive towards the positive change’’, Adebayo said.

He added that lots of people were well dressed, “but mentally, they are not okay.

“Consequently, to kick-start our security system, economy and general life as a nation, good mental health is very crucial.

“It will also help practitioners to guide their practice, help our people to be rehabilitated and not to be abandoned’’, Adebayo said.

Prof. Joseph Adeyemi, President of APN, said the conference will draw experience from globalisation.

Theme of the conference is: “Mental Health as a Driver for Positive Change.’’